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One of the best-loved cartoon characters of all time, Porky Pig has thrilled audiences both young and old for the better part of six decades.
After appearing alongside fellow Warner Bros. alumni Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd in their classic theatrical shorts in the 1930s, Porky starred on the silver screen for several decades before making the successful transition to television.
In the late 1950s, he was a featured player on The Bugs Bunny Show, and in 1964, ABC gave Porky Pig his very own show.
Each episode featured Porky at his stuttering best, constantly being harassed by Daffy Duck, Gogo the Dodo or some other annoying character who could really infuriate Porky.
But each episode ended the same way, with Porky struggling to get out the immortal words, “That’s all folks.”
While he was sometimes given a girlfriend (Petunia) or a pet (Sylvester), and although he mellowed in later years (especially when directed by Chuck Jones), he has remained virtually unchanged his entire life.
One of the best-loved periods of Porky’s career was when he was teamed with Daffy Duck in such classic shorts as Duck Dodgers in the 24th 1/2 Century and Robin Hood Daffy.
A big part of Porky’s appeal was his tendency to fight back after he had been pushed too far.
His weight and his stuttering made him appear vulnerable to those who might take advantage of him, but when Porky reached his boiling point, he stood up for himself and made it perfectly clear that – even though he never wore pants – he was not a pig to be toyed with.
Today, Porky is considered a mainstay of the Warner Bros. cartoon stable. Along with Bugs, Daffy, Sylvester and Tweety, he has become a familiar element of Americana and is recognised all over the world.
Often used in advertising campaigns or as a pop culture reference, Porky Pig will always be remembered as that funny little swine with the stutter.
Porky Pig
Mel Blanc
